Towns: Chester
Acreage: 342
Wildlife Management Zone: 4S
Description
John J. Kelly WMA is comprised primarily of steep hillsides of mature northern hardwood forest interspersed with stands of hemlock. The area also includes approximately 1,000 feet of frontage along Walker Brook, but the access is steep and difficult. A historic rail bed runs along a flat parallel to Walker Brook and is marked by informational signage. The hill that now makes up the Kelly WMA was an important area for mining iron pyrite, emery, and other minerals. As a result, the area has loose rock, fissures, and openings on some of the slopes. Visitors unfamiliar with the area should use caution.
Location, access, & parking
The only functional access is from a small dirt parking area on Hampden Street just east of the Intersection with Route 20. The parking area is marked with sigs and has space for 3 vehicles. From this lot, users can access the old rail bed and start to ascend the steep slopes to the south and east. See WMA map.
Note: WMAs are intentionally wild, visitors will find natural landscapes rather than maintained trails.
Hunting & fishing opportunities
Game species that utilize mature forests, including white-tailed deer, eastern coyote, black bear, and wild turkey, can be pursued on this property. Walker Brook is a coldwater stream which supports some natural trout reproduction. It is a high gradient stream containing riffles with medium to large boulders. The stream has been straightened in this section by the historic rail line and Route 20. Walker Brook is stocked with trout each spring. For more information on trout stocking, visit mass.gov/trout.
Regulations
No person, except under written permission of the Director or his authorized agent, shall enter into or within any mine, shaft, pit, cave, adit, drift, or tunnel within the bounds of the John J. Kelly Memorial Forest and Wildlife Management Area. Regulatory Authority: M.G.L. c. 131, § 6 and 321 CMR 3.01(1)(m).
Read Wildlife Management Area regulations.
About Wildlife Management Areas
MassWildlife owns and manages over 220,000 acres of land to conserve fish and wildlife habitats and provide access for outdoor recreation. All WMAs are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and other outdoor recreation activities. Visit the MassWildlife Lands Viewer for an interactive map of MassWildlife properties.
You can support land protection in Massachusetts. Contributions to the Wildlands Fund help pay for the cost of acquiring wildlife habitat. Learn more about the Wildlands Fund.